Here’s five simple rules I believe will help during the most competitive/stressful time of the fantasy football season and ultimately, help gain the success you strive for.

1. The 90/10 Rule: Ninety percent of the time, I say don't get cute. It's better to start a player who has been consistently good for you all year than a lottery ticket with a good matchup in the playoffs. However, ten percent of the time, there's a player you keep running out there simply because you drafted them high or traded for him during the season while his production has not met expectations. In this case, starting an advised lottery ticket isn't a bad idea, especially in a matchup where you feel your opponent has the advantage.

2. Look Ahead: Don't be blindsided by a bad matchup. Be aggressive on the waiver wire and lock up a defense or tight end who faces a cupcake opponent championship week (Week 16 or 17).

3. Stream Your Defense Unless You Have Jacksonville or Baltimore: Going forward the Jags and Ravens are the only two D/STs you start no matter what. Target teams facing the Browns, Colts, Bengals or Cardinals.

4. Pay Attention To Your Opponent's Injuries: This is fantasy football as chess. Your opponent may look to pickup the next man up to cover themselves. If you have the space, pick them up before your opponent does.

5. Have Fun: Not everyone makes it to the playoffs and only one person ends up winning the whole thing, so appreciate your success and however far you get, look for ways to build on said success next year.

Who to start:Josh Doctson (Redskins) has WR2 upside against the mediocre Cowboys secondary. Vernon Davis (Redskins) should take advantage of a defense that has allowed tight ends to score a TD in three of the last four games. Alfred Morris (Cowboys) deserves flex consideration in a “revenge” game. Future Hall of Famer Jason Witten (Cowboys) is a borderline TE1 against a Redskins defense that has allowed four or more receptions to the position in every game this season.

Who to sit: I can’t recommend Dak Prescott (Cowboys) with the banged up offensive line he’s playing behind. He has five interceptions, three fumbles lost and zero touchdown passes over the past three games. Dez Bryant (Cowboys) hasn’t surpassed 100 receiving yards in 18 straight games and was held to four receptions for 39 yards last time he faced off against nemesis Josh Norman.

Sleeper: If you’re desperate for a flex in PPR, Rod Smith (Cowboys) could clean up during garbage time if the Cowboys are trailing.

Who to start: Journeyman QB Case Keenum (Vikings) has passed for more than 280 yards and multiple touchdowns in three of the last four games. Consider Jerick McKinnon (Vikings) a flex with upside since he has surpassed at least 12 touches and 47 total yards in every game since Dalvin Cook’s injury. Stefon Diggs (Vikings) has caught four-plus passes in four straight games, making him a solid flex candidate with WR2 upside. Downgrade Tevin Coleman (Falcons) back to top flex option with upside now that he’ll be splitting touches again. Mohamed Sanu (Falcons) remains a solid flex play in PPR.

Who to sit: Lower your expectations of the Vikings D/ST against a good offense on the road. Devonta Freeman (Falcons) might have some rust after missing two games with a concussion. Plus, the matchup is terrible — Vikings are stingiest defense in fantasy against RBs. Tight end Austin Hooper (Falcons) is still too inconsistent to trust.

Who to start: The multi-talented Rex Burkhead (Patriots) remains a solid flex play in PPR leagues and has upside if something happens to Lewis. Patriots D/ST has been good since Week 6. The combination of his passing and running production makes Tyrod Taylor (Bills) a solid streaming option at QB. Charles Clay (Bills) remains a decent starting option at tight end.

Who to sit: Slot machine Danny Amendola (Patriots) has been too inconsistent, even with Chris Hogan out, to recommend unless you’re absolutely desperate. James White (Patriots) appears to have been lost in the shuffle of running backs. Jordan Matthews (Bills) has been a disappointment in Buffalo so far.

Sleeper: Rookie wideout Zay Jones (Bills) has received a staggering 24 targets in his past three games and he has produced at least 68 yards or a touchdown in all three.

Who to start: I’m all in on Jimmy Garoppolo (49ers) being a solid streaming option while making his first start for San Francisco in his hometown. Marquise Goodwin (49ers) is a true flex option with WR2 upside now that he has an actual quarterback behind center. Both Dontrelle Inman (Bears) and Tarik Cohen (Bears) have flex value in deeper PPR leagues with such a premium matchup.

Who to sit: Eventually, Mitchell Trubisky (Bears) will have to take advantage of a matchup like this if he truly is a franchise QB.

Sleeper: A healthy George Kittle (49ers) should be able to take advantage of the Chicago defense that just allowed 10 receptions, 103 yards and a score to Philadelphia tight ends.

Who to start: A healthy Jameis Winston (Buccaneers) should be able to take advantage of a Green Bay defense that just allowed four touchdown passes to Pittsburgh. DeSean Jackson (Buccaneers) has actually maintained consistent flex value this season regardless of QB, but monitor a recent foot injury that caused him to miss practice Wednesday. Brett Hundley (Packers) has earned streaming consideration after his three-touchdown performance at Pittsburgh. Randall Cobb (Packers) remains a solid PPR contributor at the flex position with WR2 upside thanks to the matchup. Even Jordy Nelson (Packers) deserves flex consideration thanks to the matchup.

Who to sit:Cameron Brate (Buccaneers) has caught a single pass in four straight games, so no thanks. I’m off the Tampa Bay run game, so Doug Martin (Buccaneers) and Jacquizz Rodgers (Buccaneers) don’t deserve to sniff your lineup.

Sleeper: Rookie wide receiver Chris Godwin (Buccaneers) could see more targets and have flex value in deeper leagues if Jackson’s foot limits him or causes him to miss the game.

Who to start: The Titans D/ST could have a big day considering how poor Houston’s offense has responded to pressure. His role in the passing game keeps DeMarco Murray (Titans) in the flex conversation. Rookie wideout Corey Davis (Titans) is due a breakout performance, especially with matchup.

Who to sit: You’re not even considering Tom Savage (Texans) against a hot Tennessee pass rush. Even if Will Fuller (Texans) returns from his rib injury, his value has cratered with Savage under center. I wouldn’t trust Rishard Matthews (Titans) until I see him perform with a healthy hamstring. Derrick Henry (Titans) is still touchdown-or-bust until he completely supplants Murray.

Sleeper: Veteran tight end C.J. Fiedorowicz (Texans) has received 16 targets in the three games since his return. It’s only a matter of time before he finds the end zone.

Who to start:Trevor Siemian (Broncos) is a solid streaming option with such a premium matchup. The Miami defense 10 touchdown passes over the past three games. An increase in usage gives Devontae Booker (Broncos) value as a flex option. We finally get to see what Kenyan Drake (Dolphins) can do with double-digit carries.

Who to sit:C.J. Anderson (Broncos) doesn’t have a future in Denver. The transition has already begun. I expect the Denver defense to “right” itself against Jay Cutler (Dolphins). Despite decent usage, DeVante Parker (Dolphins) has failed to produce consistently. Kenny Stills (Dolphins) would much rather have Matt Moore under center.

Who to sit: We’re back to there being more exciting options out there than Alex Smith (Chiefs). I continue to stay away from Matt Forte (Jets), Bilal Powell (Jets) or Elijah McGuire (Jets). There’s no telling who will emerge from this trifecta to produce.

Sleeper: This is a must-win game for Kansas City, meaning the Chiefs D/ST have to take advantage of McCown’s turnover tendicies.

Who to start: High usage continues to make Frank Gore (Colts) relevant in fantasy. He has at least 16 carries in four straight games. Blake Bortles (Jagaurs) has actually been decent (fantasy-wise) in four of his past five games. Consider him a streaming option in the deepest leagues. Marqise Lee (Jaguars) has earned weekly flex consideration in PPR. Marcedes Lewis (Jaguars) caught a touchdown Week 7 at Indianapolis, making him a decent streaming option at tight end.

Who to sit: Just say no to Jacoby Brissett (Colts) this week. T.Y. Hilton (Colts) was held to two receptions for only 27 yards last time out against Jacksonville.

Sleeper: A whopping 16 targets in two games means Dede Westbrook (Jaguars) has WR2 upside with such a premium matchup.

Who to start:Danny Woodhead (Ravens) deserves flex consideration in PPR, but has RB2 upside if Collins is limited with a calf issue. Mike Wallace (Ravens) has at least five receptions or a touchdown in his last three games, earning him flex consideration in deeper PPR leagues.

Who to sit: It’s hard to bench Matthew Stafford (Lions), but the Ravens secondary has only allowed two passing touchdowns in the past five games. If Stafford is shutdown, Marvin Jones (Lions) will likely fill the sting. Ameer Abdullah (Lions) has seen his usage and production wane the past two weeks. Rookie wide receiver Kenny Golladay (Lions) has yet to catch more than two balls since Week 1. You simply can’t trust Joe Flacco (Ravens) in fantasy this season. Jeremy Maclin (Ravens) has been boom-or-bust this season thanks to Flacco’s poor play.

Sleeper: PPR master Theo Riddick (Lions) could be in line for an uptick in targets with Stafford utilizing his intermediate weapons more than usual.

Who to start: PPR maestro Duke Johnson (Browns) has quietly been among fantasy’s more consistent running backs this season. A ridiculous amount of usage forces you to consider Corey Coleman (Browns) for your flex spot. The best streaming option at defense this week is the Chargers D/ST. Hunter Henry (Chargers) is a TE1 with such a premium matchup. The Browns have allowed a TD to the position in four straight.

Who to sit: Rookie QB DeShone Kizer (Browns) has five rushing touchdowns, making him borderline relevant in fantasy, especially if you’re desperate.

Sleeper: Returning from his suspension, Josh Gordon (Browns) is the ultimate boom-or-bust option this weekend.

Who to start:Sterling Shepard (Giants) returns after a bout with migraines to give New York its only worthwhile wide receiver. Orleans Darkwa (Giants) should continue to receiver a flex-worthy workload going forward. Marshawn Lynch (Raiders) continues to be touchdown-dependent. This is the one week where the Raiders D/ST can be considered a streaming possibility.

Who to start: Veteran speedster Ted Ginn (Panthers) has played really well the past two weeks — 13 receptions for 158 yards — and caught a touchdown Week 3 at Carolina.

Who to sit:Cam Newton (Panthers) was incredibly bad against the Jets (11 of 28 for 168 yards). It was his worst game since a home loss to New Orleans Week 3 where he tossed three interceptions, zero scores and 167 yards. It looks like Greg Olsen (Panthers) might miss another game after aggravating his previous foot injury. Jonathan Stewart (Panthers) is too touchdown-dependent to start.

Sleeper: If Olsen is limited or out, Ed Dickson (Panthers) could prove useful if you’re in a pinch.

Who to start:Sammy Watkins (Rams) has caught a touchdown in three of the last four games. If a neck injury doesn’t keep Adrian Peterson (Cardinals) sidelined, his usage gives him RB2 upside.

Who to sit: I believe Blaine Gabbert (Cardinals) hits the wall this week against Los Angeles. Tight end Ricky Seals-Jones (Cardinals) has been the best at his position over the past two weeks, but his production is unsustainable unless he sees more snaps and targets.

Sleeper: With Robert Woods out, rookie wideout Josh Reynolds (Rams) continues to have flex value in the deepest leagues.

Who to start:Nelson Agholor (Eagles) deserves flex consideration because of his decent usage numbers in a great offense. Both Paul Richardson (Seahawks) and Tyler Lockett (Seahawks) deserve flex consideration in what could end up being a high scoring affair.

Who to sit: Any of Philadelphia’s running backs could start for you if the need is there, but it’s hard to gauge which one will do what from week-to-week, so I’d pass on LeGarrette Bount (Eagles), Jay Ajayi (Eagles) or Corey Clement (Eagles) if I could.

Who to start: Lower your expectations of Ben Roethlisberger (Steelers) this week against a solid secondary on the road, but he’s till a borderline QB1 and elite streaming option.

Who to sit: I can’t trust JuJu Smith-Schuster (Steelers) until after he proves his hamstring is healthy on the field. Andy Dalton (Bengals) was picked off twice and held to 140 yards passing Week 7 at Pittsburgh. Fresh off his breakout performance against the Browns, Joe Mixon (Bengals) faces a Steelers run defense that has allowed 87 or fewer yards in nine of 11 games and one touchdown on the ground in the last six games. Tyler Kroft (Bengals) is touchdown-dependent.